Abstract
Population density modulates a wide range of eco-evolutionary processes including inter- and intra-specific competition, fitness and population dynamics. In holometabolous insects, the larval stage is particularly susceptible to density-dependent effects because the larva is the resource-acquiring stage. Larval density-dependent effects can modulate the expression of life-history traits not only in the larval and adult stages but also downstream for population dynamics and evolution. Better understanding the scope and generality of density-dependent effects on life-history traits of current and future generations can provide useful knowledge for both theory and experiments in developmental ecology. Here, we review the literature on larval density-dependent effects on fitness of non-social holometabolous insects. First, we provide a functional definition of density to navigate the terminology in the literature. We then classify the biological levels upon which larval density-dependent effects can be observed followed by a review of the literature produced over the past decades across major non-social holometabolous groups. Next, we argue that host-microbe interactions are yet an overlooked biological level susceptible to density-dependent effects and propose a conceptual model to explain how density-dependent effects on host-microbe interactions can modulate density-dependent fitness curves. In summary, this review provides an integrative framework of density-dependent effects across biological levels which can be used to guide future research in the field of ecology and evolution.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 659-680 |
Number of pages | 22 |
Journal | Evolutionary Ecology |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 5 |
Early online date | 2 Sept 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Open access via Springer Compact AgreementATT was funded by MQ-VIED Joint Scholarship at Macquarie University. We would like to acknowledge two anonymous reviewers and the editor for useful comments on the early version of this manuscript and Prof N. Prasad for constructive comments during the manuscript revision.
Keywords
- niche theory
- ecological specialisation
- ecological theory
- population density
- microbiome
- host-microbiome interaction
- Ecological specialisation
- Niche theory
- Host-microbiome interaction
- Population density
- Ecological theory
- Microbiome
- INTRASPECIFIC COMPETITION
- LYMANTRIA-DISPAR
- ANOPHELES-GAMBIAE S.S.
- DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER
- LARVAL DENSITY
- SYMBIOTIC BACTERIA
- NATURAL-SELECTION
- PHENOTYPIC DEVELOPMENT
- ADULT LONGEVITY
- EVOLUTIONARY RESPONSES